At risk students

Private schools can be a great option for at-risk students

The social stresses of peers, sports, and school can be hard enough for any child, but for students at risk of failing their classes, it can be downright overwhelming.

It’s common knowledge that no two students learn in exactly the same way. Yet school subject material can only be taught in one manner. This places some students at risk of falling behind their peers academically, resulting in a loss of self-confidence, a dislike for school, and increased stress and frustration. The accumulation of these feelings, poor grades at school, and the stresses children face in social situations at school then make it even harder to concentrate during daily lessons, leading to a potentially very damaging vicious cycle.

But just because a student is at risk of failing or is receiving poor marks in school, it does not make them in any way "dumb" or "stupid" as they may be called or feel personally. At-risk students are disproportionately male and of minority backgrounds, and tend not to participate in school activities or feel a personal connection to the school, but there are many, many reasons why a student at risk may have difficulty keeping up with their peers academically.

A few include:

Learning Styles:

There are many ways to absorb information, and students need to discover for themselves what method works best for them. Once this happens, they can take their learning processes into their own hands, and are usually at an age that will allow them to do so. However, younger children who have not yet discovered their personal process of learning are in the control of their teacher. And while they may try to incorporate all different kinds of teaching into their lesson plan, it is impossible to meet every child’s needs, leaving some to fall behind.

At-risk students who have aligned themselves with the wrong crowd and exhibit impulsive behaviour at school may see significant drops in their grades, even if they were straight-A students in previous years. Students at risk of failing also may be distracted by problems at home, drug addiction, pregnancy, and other serious problems that leave little time or energy for schoolwork.

Public schools can provide some help for at-risk students struggling in school, but their resources can be limited. At one of Canada’s many quality private schools, at-risk students receive the benefits that private and independent schools provide. Countless of at-risk students have already seen vast improvements in their academic achievement through the close attention that comes from small class sizes, the enthusiasm and support of passionate instructors and councilors, individually-customized education based on each student’s learning needs, up-to-date technology, and unique programs designed specifically to help students at risk of failing grades, whether it be for the fault of a learning disability, a different learning style, special needs, or a troubled personal life.

Hawthorn School is an all-girls school in Toronto that offers programs from toddler to grade 12. Our unique mentoring program is tailored to each girl to help them reach their full potential. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Toronto

The Thinnox Academy is a Mississauga private high school with a focus on technology, engineering and design. Graduates stand out from their peers when applying into University or College. [View profile]

Robert Land Academy is a private military-themed boarding school (Gr 5-12) helping boys to achieve their potential and gain admission to post-secondary programs. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Toronto, Halton-Peel

Blyth Academy Yorkville is a private high school for Grade 9-12 students, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, moments away from some of Toronto’s most exciting cultural and entertainment venues. [View profile]

This traditional private school in Toronto offers preschool to grade 12 with average class sizes of 15 students. Facilities include a double gym and more. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Toronto

We are a licensed therapeutic boarding school for Gr. 1-12 students requiring individualized academic, clinical, and behaviour-management solutions in small class sizes and professional home environments. [View profile]

Robbins Hebrew Academy (RHA) teaches students to think critically and globally, in a community that builds self-esteem and life-long character. RHA is Toronto’s first Jewish school to be CAIS accredited. [View profile]

Blooming Lives Montessori celebrates and nurtures the sense of curiosity of each child, supports them in exploring their expanding capabilities and guides them into their thriving potentials. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Toronto

St. Peter's ACHS College School in Amherstburg, Ont. is a day/residency school for boys grades 1-8 who love Sports and the Outdoors. Tuition starts at $8,900. and is a member of OFIS. We put "FUN" back into learning. [View profile]

King’s Christian Collegiate is an independent Christian high school providing superb instruction in a safe, stimulating academic environment. Caring staff set the tone for a positive, up-beat culture. [View profile]

Toronto eSchool is both an online high school and a tutoring centre offering grade 9 to 12 credit courses to local and international students on a part-time or full-time basis at your home or at our Toronto Campus. [View profile]

RJC offers a program of academic excellence for students in grades 10-12 from any faith or culture. Students are challenged to serve, teach and learn, encourage, share, lead and above all offer each other mercy and love. [View profile]

Our campus located in midtown Toronto provides the warmth and community of a neighbourhood school. We are a short distance from our partners at the Royal Ontario Museum and Outward Bound at the Evergreen Brickworks. [View profile]

Astolot Educational Centre is a day school with grades 1 to 12 in Ottawa, Ontario. Classroom teacher-student ratios are 1 to 10. Students have the ability to reach their full potential with Astolot programming. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Ottawa

For over 25 years, the Montessori Country School provides a first-class accredited curriculum for students 12 months through grade 6. The sprawling 10 acre campus offers a unique indoor and outdoor learning experience. [View profile]

AVRO Academy is an alternative high school in Toronto for grades 9 to 12. Students earn credits while developing skills that best prepares them for post secondary education. We focus on student strength! [View profile]

Oxford Learning Academy – where your child will experience a homeschooling approach with the benefits of socialization in a small classroom environment. This Milton private school runs from PK to grade 8. [View profile]

John Knox Christian School in Oakville offers an exceptional education experience for students from junior kindergarten to grade 8. We ignite wonder for God, neighbour, and creation in everything we do. [View profile]

Focus Foundation is a world-class educational and therapeutic learning institution, described by Dr. Charles Huffine, former President of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists. [View profile]

Montessori Country School has provided a first-class academic experience to students in an environment that is distinguished by its compassion, integrity and unwavering commitment to the individual child.
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North Star Academy Laval is the only private English high school in Laval. We offer small classroom sizes for individualized attention. We teach not only for school but for life! Certificate of eligibility not required. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Montreal

Venture Academy is a therapeutic treatment and education program for students who may be struggling with ADHD, learning challenges, underachieving, behavioural issues, and a variety of clinical diagnoses. [View profile]

Virtual High School is an online private school, providing OSSD credit courses. Students start any day, work at their own pace and write their final exam at a time and place of their choosing. No textbooks required. [View profile]

OAT is a high school in Toronto specializing in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Full credit courses, Booster programs and Reach Ahead programs designed to give students the support they need to excel. [View profile]

Alpine Academy isn't just a school, it is an experience that prepares young women for life beyond our campus. Students learn to engage in not only academics, but also family, community, and interpersonal relationships. [View profile]

Venture Academy is a therapeutic treatment and education program for students who may be struggling with ADHD, learning challenges, underachieving, behavioural issues, and a variety of clinical diagnoses. [View profile]

At Blyth Academy Waterloo we are building an active and dynamic school community. We offer not only our outstanding Grades 9–12 program but also a middle school program and facilities for students in Grades 7–8. [View profile]

Oxford Tutorial College is a leading independent college specialising in A-level, GCSE, BTEC tuition for students grade 10 to 12, intending to go on to higher education at a good British University. [View profile]

Gradale Academy at Evergreen Brick Works is a nature focused school like no other in Toronto. The education program supports strong academic time with a balance of outdoor creative learning. [View profile]

Cousteau school is a unique French language school in BC, #1 in the last Fraser Institute ranking. We provide academic excellence from Preschool to Grade 9. Class sizes can be as small as 13 students. [View profile]

Blyth Academy Mississauga is a flourishing private middle and high school housed in unique heritage buildings. We focus on personalized education, very small class sizes, and experiential learning. [View profile]

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Venture Academy is a therapeutic private school providing educational and clinical support services, individualized instruction and engaging interaction to get students back on track and restore confidence. [View profile]

Third Academy is Calgary's school for special needs and gifted education. The school teaches what students need, the way they need it and never loses sight of well-rounded learning. Click to learn more. [View profile]

City Academy offers courses which follow Ontario Curriculum Guidelines. Utilizing teachers who are subject specialists and following a flexible and unique timetabling format, we are committed to every student's success. [View profile]

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Madrona School Society is a gifted school in Vancouver. It offers programs for kindergarten to grade nine with an average class size of six to 14 students. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Vancouver

Centennial is the only high school in Quebec that helps students master their challenges of learning and graduate on time. Over 90% of our students graduate in five years and go on to college and university. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Montreal

Providence Academy is the only Private French Catholic School offering a trilingual program of study in Ontario with classes from nursery to grade eight. Tuition: $8,800-10,300. Extracurricular activities: $600-$650. [View profile] School Expo Exhibitor - Ottawa

Kohai LIFE offers programmes for those aged 18 years+ with special needs or learning challenges. Our participants develop life skills, gain work experience, continue learning and stay active, all while having fun! [View profile]